Match Previews

Preston North End vs Oxford United | Match Preview

Monday 2 March

Deepdale
Friday 6 March, 8:00pm

After earning a crucial victory last time out against West Bromwich Albion, the Yellows head to Preston North End on Friday in search of back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Form Guide - Snapshot

Oxford United: W1 D2 L2 from the previous five games. Matt Bloomfield and his team will take great confidence from their win over West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, having struck twice early on and delivered an assured, positive performance. The next challenge is to build on that momentum with another victory that would lift them, temporarily at least, out of the bottom three.
Preston North End: W1 D2 L2 in their last five. Paul Heckingbottom’s side were firmly in the play-off picture at the turn of 2026, having lost just two of 11 matches between November and early January. Since then, though, their form has faltered. With only one win in their last nine outings, they have slid down the table and now require a remarkable finish to the season to keep alive any realistic hopes of breaking into the top six.

The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check

Despite an outstanding long-range strike from Brian De Keersmaecker when the sides met in December, it was Preston who departed the Kassam Stadium with all three points, courtesy of goals from Jordan Storey and Daniel Jebbison.

The clubs first faced each other in 1964 and, across 28 meetings since, Oxford United hold the edge with 13 victories and five draws.

Last season’s encounter at Deepdale ended 1-1. Ruben Rodrigues handed United a first-half advantage, but Will Keane’s second-half effort ensured the points were shared.

The Key Battles: Where This Game Could Be Won And Lost

Lankshear back in the goals: After ending his goal drought with a crucial strike against West Bromwich Albion, his first since January, Will Lankshear has rediscovered both his scoring touch and his belief as he looks to fire Oxford United to Championship survival. A confident Lankshear is a formidable presence: powerful and relentless, with a natural poacher’s instinct and an unshakeable determination to win.
Midfield battle: When Preston North End made the trip to the Kassam Stadium earlier this season, their ability to slice through midfield with crisp, progressive passing was there for all to see. It’s an area Oxford United will be determined to address in Friday’s return fixture. Yunus Konak’s introduction to the team last weekend injected energy and composure into the centre of the park, and his developing partnership with Cameron Brannagan, complemented by the creativity of Peart-Harris and Donley, offers great balance and control. Preston, however, possess a reliable engine room of their own. The steady, disciplined pairing of Ben Whiteman and Ali McCann promises a stern test for United’s reshaped midfield.
Jack Currie in fine form: Oxford United left-back Jack Currie has been widely tipped as the club’s player of the season so far after delivering consistently high-level performances. The 24-year-old has been a constant attacking outlet down the left while remaining dependable defensively. With Lewis Dobbin and Daniel Jebbison posing Preston’s main attacking threat, particularly down the right flank, Currie will need to maintain the strong form he has shown throughout the campaign.

Team News From Both Camps

United come into this game having suffered no further injury problems from the weekend's game against West Bromwich Albion. Jamie McDonnell and Brodie Spencer are both available to return to the matchday squad for Friday night's game following their respective minor injury problems in recent weeks.

Unavailable: Tyler Goodrham, Greg Leigh, Brian De Keersmaecker

The hosts meanwhile are blessed with a fully-fit squad, minus the ongoing groin injury issues for goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.

Decisions are to be made by Paul Heckingbottom regarding team selection as they search for an improvement in results. Alfie Devine could come into the team in place of Callum Lang, while the experienced Robbie Brady could be handed a first start of the season after the left winger came off the bench against Millwall last weekend following a season of injury problems up to that point.

Unavailable: Daniel Iversen

Preston Looking to (North) End Their Poor Run Of Form

1) Preston North End were sitting fifth at Christmas after losing just four of their first 22 matches, playing an expansive and attack-minded brand of football. However, Paul Heckingbottom’s side have been unable to sustain that momentum. Since the festive period, they have managed only three wins in 13 games, a run that has seen them slide into the bottom half of the table.

2) The likes of Lewis Dobbin and Daniel Jebbison, who have combined for 13 goals and seven assists this season, have struggled to replicate the impact they made during the opening four months of the campaign. Much of the team’s attacking fluency was built around their energy, direct running and ability to drive the side up the pitch. If that spark is to be rediscovered in the final quarter of the season, Paul Heckingbottom will need both forwards to rediscover their sharpness and influence in the final third.

3) Preston North End have won just one of their last six home matches in all competitions, a narrow victory over Portsmouth in the opening week of February. Despite their recent dip in form, they remain within touching distance of the play-off places and will view this fixture as an ideal chance to arrest their struggles at Deepdale. A positive result would not only restore confidence on home soil but also help them close the gap on sides such as Wrexham, who currently occupy the lower reaches of the play-off positions.

4) Often deploying a back three and two forwards, Preston North End look to overload central areas and assert control through numerical superiority in midfield. Their wing-backs provide the primary attacking outlet, pushing high and delivering crosses at every opportunity to supply the front line. However, the underlying data paints a potentially more concerning picture. Preston sit 19th in the expected goals (xG) rankings, suggesting their current league position may flatter them in attacking terms. They have also registered just 374 shots, the third-fewest in the division, underlining a broader issue in consistently creating high-quality scoring chances.

Jamie Donley Beginning To Make An Impact

The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur playmaker has endured a frustrating spell since arriving in January, with an injury sustained on his debut disrupting any early momentum. In recent weeks, however, he has begun to find his rhythm, earning starts and growing in influence in the final third.

He recorded his first goal contribution for the U’s in Saturday’s victory over West Bromwich Albion, delivering a wicked inswinging corner that led to Stan Mills’ opening goal. That moment could provide the springboard he needs to establish himself as a key figure during a pivotal run of fixtures.

After producing eight goals and ten assists for Leyton Orient in League One last season, supporters will be hoping he can rediscover that level of output as the 2025/26 campaign progresses. His developing partnership with Will Lankshear may also prove crucial. The pair combined regularly for goals at youth level with Spurs, and with Lankshear finding the net against West Brom, confidence should be high. If their understanding continues to grow, it could provide the attacking spark United need in the weeks ahead.

By the Numbers — Fast Facts

Kick-off: Friday 6 March, 8:00pm at Deepdale.
Recent form (last five): Oxford United W1 D2 L2; Preston North End: W1 D2 L2.
Goals: Oxford United have scored 31 goals this season, Preston North End have scored 41.
Fun Fact: Deepdale is widely recognised as the oldest continuously used professional football stadium in the world, having hosted matches since 1878.
Historic classics: Oxford United 3-1 Preston North End (31 August 2024); Preston North End 1-2 Oxford United (1 October 1993); Oxford United 3-2 Preston North End (29 January 1983)
Played for both teams (Years at Oxford United): Steve Basham (2002-2007); Billy Bodin (2021-2024); Ben Davies (2025-present); Craig Davies (2004-2006); Colin Greenall (1988-1990); Nigel Jemson (1996-1998); Ryan Ledson (2016-2018); John Mousinho (2017-2023); Josh Murphy (2022-2024)
Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (7 goals); Lewis Dobbin (7 goals).

Voices From The Camp:

Watch the Press Conferences of Matt Bloomfield and Jack Currie here:

RETAIL

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COMING UP

It won’t be long before we’re back under the lights at the Kassam Stadium, and next week brings a HUGE double header in OX4 that promises plenty of excitement.

First up, we host Blackburn Rovers in midweek, before Charlton Athletic make the trip for Saturday’s early kick-off.

Your outstanding support against West Bromwich Albion was seen and heard by everyone on the pitch and in the dugout, and that backing made a real difference. We’d love to have you with us again to help drive the team on in the hunt for more crucial and memorable victories.

Tickets for these matches remain available:

By clicking HERE
By calling 01865 337 533
By visiting the Ticket Office in person

MATCHDAY GUIDES

Matchday Guide

Get ready for matchday at Deepdale! Click the arrow below to explore travel info, stadium facilities, and top tips provided by Preston North End for making the most of your day.

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